(indieWIRE/ 02.27.01) — The Lipsky Brothers’ Lot 47 Films has acquired allNorth American rights to Michael Cuesta‘s “L.I.E.” The film, which had itsworld premiere at Sundance 2001, will screen in New York next month at NewDirectors/New Films.

Calling the film a “brave filmmaking debut” in indieWIRE’s review of“L.I.E” during Sundance 2001, critic Andy Bailey wrote, “‘L.I.E.’ hoversabove the pack of traditional youth-gone-wrong coming-of-agers. It willprobably find both fans and foes in its awkward journey toward distribution,but movies that tell the truth rarely have an easy coming-of-agethemselves.”

(indieWIRE/ 02.27.01) — After just over six months of partnership withIFILM, Film Finders will return to being it’s own business, due to IFILMfocusing on their consumer portal and Film Finders growing business. IFILMhas steadily shed its labor intensive industry services as the numbers ofconsumer users have risen. TV Tracker, which struck a similar acquisitiondeal to Film Finders, will become a separate entity as well. “We didn’tanticipate our consumer business growing as fast as it has,” an IFILMspokesperson told indieWIRE yesterday. “It’s a matter of where we can getthe biggest bang for our buck.”

“Film Finder’s business has ramped up over the last six months. At the sametime, IFILM’s consumer portal business has experienced exponential growth,”said Film Finders Founder Sydney Levine. “We look forward to collaboratingin the future, but we also anticipate many opportunities better suited forindependent entities.”

IFILM will continue to provide office space and host and maintain FilmFinders’ web site. IFILM also retains an undisclosed financial stake in FilmFinders. The companies will still engage in joint marketing and promotions,but the “I” will be dropped from Film Finders name.

IFILM recently spun-off their below-the-line services to FilmTrust, whichclosed its doors earlier this month. The site still owns the moneymakingHollywood Creative Directory and Lone Eagle Publishing.

(indieWIRE/ 02.27.01) — During this weekend’s Orange British Academy FilmAwards, Orange and FilmFour launched The Orange FilmFour Prize for Short Film which will single out writers and directors as distinguished filmmakers of the future. Filmmakers are required to submit a five-minute fictionalfilm script by July 2, 2001 — a panel of film industry representatives willthen shortlist six films that will be produced by FilmFour Lab using digitaltechnology.

In July 2002, the films will premiere on FilmFour.com and will also screenon the FilmFour channel. The final winner will be chosen by viewers of aspecial Channel 4 program who will vote by phone for their favorite film.In addition to a